Introduction
Different societies have presented diverse definitions and goals of marriage. While modern marriages are characterized by governing legal procedures, social norms, and spiritual meanings, history tries to present a wide range of aspects of this union. Many scholars acknowledge that marriage has changed its meaning over the past thousands of years. Without a single book or source documenting the true history and nature of marriage, this paper presents a detailed synthesis of this institution and how it has changed to become what it is today.
Background
The word “marriage” has been in use in different parts of the world for centuries. During the Ancient Period, many communities were keen to consider the best approaches to create environments that were secure and capable of protecting future generations. Marriages emerged as the best strategies for protecting and perpetuating the human species. By doing so, most people would find appropriate strategies to grant their children the relevant property rights (Lawson et al. e0238346).
Different ancient populations went further to formulate powerful laws and guidelines that were essential to dictate how husband and wife inheritance took place. For instance, people in ancient Hebrew were expected to become husbands to the widows left behind by their brothers (Parker 1036). These efforts were essential since they created enabling environments for the continuity and progression of bloodlines.
Due to the nature and intentions of marriage, numerous definitions and viewpoints have emerged that continue to dictate what the institution ought to be. For instance, people who followed religious foundations and institutions continued to pursue marriage a unique form of relationship that was supported and guided by a higher power or God (Parker 1036). During the ancient time, many people and populations identified and pursued marriage as a purely mystical relationship that cosmic forces ordered and monitored (Reynolds 27). Additionally, some groups in history were keen to identify marriage as a self-chosen union that was intended to provide the relevant environment for the protection of the human race while providing room for development.
From this analysis, it becomes quite clear that marriage itself is a relationship whose historical development remains diverse, influenced by humans and supernatural powers, and even controlled by established policies. In some cases, analysts have indicated that marriage was a union that developed depending on the ambitions, experiences, and expectations of the people (Özyiğit 701). These attributes explain how and why it can impossible for analysts and scholars to follow a specific line of history when focusing on the subject of marriage. Numerous changes and transformations have been experienced in the recent past that gives marriage a totally new look.
Synthesizing History of Marriage
Within the past century, scholars and theorists have examined the subject of marriage from different perspectives. Specifically, these scholars have focused on the anthropological, spiritual, social, and economic attributes revolving around marriage. Unfortunately, such studies have not succeeded in presenting convincing or accurate analyses of the historical perspectives and development of marriage (Özyiğit 704). With many lines of history and threads pertaining to history, it becomes quite clear that it cannot be possible to focus on specific development and changes of this relationship. This knowledge explains why this paper seeks to provide a synthesized history of marriage.
The union of marriage is a relationship that has a unique history. Despite the existence of divergent routes, views, and practices related to marriage, it remains quite clear that societies invented the ideology with the aim of supporting the posterity of the race. Throughout history, marriage has led to numerous definitions, meanings, and interpretations in many regions. For the Romans, marriage was given a cultural meaning whereby the people focused on it as one of the best ways to establish societies (Reynolds 42).
In such settings, women and men would be required to complete specific rules and responsibilities. The efforts would eventually result in the establishment of societies that were patriarchal in nature (Özyiğit 704). Similarly, the Jewish community relied on past teachings of their culture to support the union. In marriages, these individuals knew that they were capable of having children, teaching ethics, and providing relevant ideas to other members of society.
During the medieval ages, some societies began to denounce the ideas of Christianity and religion. This new ideology would present additional concepts and ideologies regarding the institution of marriage. For instance, some people living far away from the Mediterranean Sea would begin to embrace monogamy (Özyiğit 705). Such a state, according to them, would encourage men to focus on only one woman for a wife. Most people began to embrace the power of promises and views (Reynolds 56). The elderly would provide blessings and lessons to ensure that such new marriages survived.
Within several centuries, Romans had embraced the concept of celibacy whereby some individuals who identified themselves as priests avoided marrying. Some of these priests wanted to lead a religious life that was not characterized by birthing, coupling, or birthing (Geist 9). During the same time, religions would begin to teach their followers that marriages were solemn institutions and dissoluble by any individual. These ideas and developments would continue to have far-reaching and normalizing implications for future marriages in different parts of the world.
While a wide range of conceptions and viewpoints appeared to merge in the meaning of marriage, it is agreeable that most the ancient and medieval societies found the relationship relevant. For most of these years, marriage was pursued as one of the best strategies for protecting families and children. In some cases, communities embraced the idea with the aim of promoting or supporting alliances between two or more families. Because of the nature of this objective, most couples would find themselves together simply because their unions were arranged (Özyiğit 704). During the period, couples came together for economic intentions and not necessarily because they were in love.
Additional studies have presented unique observations regarding the nature and history of marriage. For instance, Streza adds that marriages were usually dictated by elders and elites in an effort to support the formation of alliances that were capable of delivering specific results (398). The families involved during the ancient and medieval times would find it easier to expand their controls and labor forces. Unfortunately, the emergence of the modern era and the subsequent promotion of democracy led to additional transformations (Lawson et al. e0238346). Within the past two centuries, countries and societies across the globe began to pursue new changes that led to the ideas of equality, the promotion of human rights, and the ability to pursue one’s goals.
Consequently, the modern world has led to a new approach whereby marriages are identified as proxies. In most cases, dowry payment has remained the norm. Deep-rooted practices and traditions continue to dictate the decisions and procedures the involved people and family members pursue. However, it would necessary to observe that cultures have developed their unique definitions and practices that surround the issue and development of marriage (Streza 401). The definitions have also gone further to describe the responsibilities, expectations, and behaviors of those in the relationship and how they promote the established social and religious goals.
From the late 18th century, marriage started to get a new meaning due to some of the forces experienced in different parts of the world. One of the remarkable changes was that democracies were beginning to replace monarchs that had existed for centuries. From this period, women began to claim additional roles and rights within their marriage institutions. Within a few years, women were able to get financial and economic support from their husbands (Mueller 209). However, women were still required to submit to their husbands and complete household chores. In the western world, religious teachings appear to dictate the decisions and the manner in which families and marriages operated. However, these norms would face the test of time, thereby resulting in new trends and practices within the realm of marriage.
In different countries today, marriage had developed to become a union that has a unique meaning in comparison with what people practiced thousands of years ago. For example, Americans would now identify marriage as any form of union that brings together individuals who are connected by love. Such individuals will remain in companionship, take care of children, and support the integrity of society (Geist 17). With the notions of democracy triggering additional ideologies, some communities have gone further to consider same-sex marriages as acceptable and supportable by the established laws. These new trends result in a deviation from ancient practices whereby gay relationships existed but were viewed negatively.
Presently, the concept of love appears to be the defining factor that brings people together. Unlike in the past, many people would most probably rely on their sexual desires and instincts to select their most probable mates. This new trend has made it possible for analysts to appreciate the fact that mutual attraction was missed in most of the marriages promoted many years ago (Mueller 211). While market economics at the global scale continues to dictate the manner in which some love relationships are matched, new trends are emerging whereby parents and the elites are having reduced influence on affairs and inheritance patterns.
Conclusion
The above discussion has identified marriage as a unique institution that has remained a critical part of human history. During medieval and ancient times, families arranged marriages in order to control factors of production, maintain power, and protect the integrity of the wider society. While maintaining their interpretations of their cultural and spiritual attributes, modern societies have embraced the idea of democracy to continue reshaping the nature and meaning of marriage. The synthesized information presented in this paper has, therefore, revealed that the history of marriage is diverse, convergent, and ever-changing. In conclusion, the institution of marriage will continue to remain an integral part of any given society as has been the case in the past.
Works Cited
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Lawson, David W., et al. “What Does the American Public Know about Child Marriage?” PLoS ONE, vol. 15, no. 9, 2020, p. e0238346.
Mueller, Joseph G. “Marriage and Family Law in the Ancient Church Order Literature.” The Journal of Legal History, vol. 40, no. 2, 2019, pp. 203-221.
Özyiğit, Melike K. “The Meaning of Marriage According to University Students: A Phenomenological Study.” Educational Sciences: Theory & Practice, vol. 17, no. 2, 2017, pp. 679-711.
Parker, Alison M. “Conjugal Misconduct: Defying Marriage Law in the Twentieth-Century United States.” Journal of American History, vol. 105, no. 4, 2019, pp. 1036-1037.
Reynolds, Philip L. How Marriage Became One of the Sacraments. Cambridge University Press, 2016.
Streza, Ciprian I. “The Mystery of Marriage: Mystery of Human Love Crowned in Glory and Honour. An Orthodox Perspective.” Sciendo, vol. 10, no. 3, 2018, pp. 388-411.